There will be a playoff aroma and vibe in the air when the Sabres and Habs grapple on Thursday night. The Habs will be looking to avenge the loss to the Caps that they suffered in Tuesday night, while the Sabres will be desperate to get back on the winning way after having their three game win streak whacked in Winnipeg.
Far be it for me to tell you how to behave at a Sabres game, however, lets try to lock the booing and Bronx Cheers in the trunk of the car before entering the arena. The Sabres need support. They don't need to be heckled when they can't clear the zone due to a heavy forecheck being applied by a formidable defensive opponent like New Jersey on Sunday night. The Habs will be bringing the sandpaper and tire irons to the street fight as well. Will you be bringing the positivity and support? I watched the replay of the sabres-Jets game and we cn all learn a thing or two from the Winnipeg fans. Great ambience and excellent enthusiasm.
Be classy Buffalo. The game Sabres-Canadiens will be broadcast on CBC.
On Wednesday, Peter Budaj signed a new two-year contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens. According to canadiens.nhl.com, Budaj will get the start in Buffalo on Thursday night. Budaj will make his eighth start of the season on against Otter and the Sabres. Therrien likes the way that Budaj plays on the road. Carey Price made his 32nd start of the season in the Habs' loss to Ovechkin in Tuesday night.
I assume that Ryan Miller will get the start vs. Montreal, however, there's no way to know until the game day skate on Thursday morning at First Niagara Center. The Sabres were given the day off on Wednesday after they were walloped in Winnipeg on Tuesday night.
While the Sabres were resting and recovering, Michel Therrien was fast at work juggling his line trios in advance of the playoff-style game in Buffalo.
The Sabres have won three straight games against the Habs since they were slapped 6-1 in Montreal on February.
I won't even speculate on what line combos Ron Rolston will roll out against Montreal, except to say that I will be willing to bet you a gazillion dollars that Vanek-Ennis-Stafford will NOT be skating together against the Habs. The line was -12 in Winnipeg. Each culprit was an embarrassing -4 apiece. After forty minutes, Rolston blew up that line and then placed Vanek with Hodgson and Ott. Vanek may want to go to the driving range and pound 500 pucks at the net after practice on Thursday morning. He refused to shoot when he had clean looks at the back of Pavelec's net. He better get the eye of the tiger back, and quick.
Pat Kaleta left the game in the second period and didn't return for the rest of the game in The Peg. His status will be updated on Thursday morning.
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